I’m assuming that not every meal is straight from the can/box/pretty microwave plastic dish it came in.

Humor me.

Even if your home life includes no meals at that home (excepting those from their own containers) you might bring a lunch to work that needs a plate/bowl/cup/fork/spoon/knife.

That’s where the dish-washing magic comes in.

First

The dishes must be removed from the eating place and brought to the washing place.

I hate to start with the obvious, but those dirty dishes don’t walk themselves to the sink to be cleaned.

Well, almost never.

Then scrape them off. No solids. Leftovers for later or compost or trash – your call.

Rinse them. That way when you stack them there will be less nasty stuff stuck on the back of the dishes.

Load the dishwasher.

Unless you ARE the dishwasher.

Then fill a sink or basin – a clean sink or basin – with hot water and a squirt or two of dish-soap.

Add the flatware – that’s table knives and forks and spoons – and then the glasses.

Wash the glasses, outside first and then inside with a clean dish cloth. If you use sponges, change them frequently, they’re germ bombs and are prone to nastiness. Rinse outsides and then insides with hot water. Put in dish drainer when rinsed.

This is called The Arc – it looks cool, who knows how it actually performs.

Put the plates in the basin, and then wash the flatware. Rinse the flatware and drain.

Also a way cool design – function function function

When the flatware is done, wash the dishes, bowls, etc – Again, backs and fronts and rinse back to front.

“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean.”

Matthew 23:25-26

Then, if the water is still hot and not too floatsy, start with the serving bowls and plates. Lastly, the pots. If the water gets cold or nasty – get rid of it and start another sink full or basin full. All the dishes are washed, outside and inside, and rinsed in hot water the same way. Air drying is best, or use a clean dish towel if pressed for time or space.